Greetings all,

We loved our visit to the forget-me-not state in 2005 and on that trip we visited Denali,Kennecott, and Seward. This trip we are making in 2008 with another couple, (their 1st visit and they need mucho lead time for their vacation schedules).

Can you spot any problems and give suggestions for lodging in Palmer/Wasilla? I am also not sure about the Hatcher Pass cut through -- or is it better to stick to the main drags? Plan to rent a Durango -- we like a full size spare tire for this trip.

Day 1 - Anchorage arrival, lodging Anchorage
Day 2 - Pick up auto rental, tour Palmer area, 2pm or 6pm hike Matunuska Glacier with MICA. Appreciate anyone comments who have taken that. Lodging - Wasilla or Palmer
Day 3 - Visit Independence Mine (repeat for us) and then take Hatcher pass, drive to Talkeetna. Lodging Talkeetna.
Day 4 - AM - Flightsee, drive to Healy
Day 5 - Fairbanks daytrip (University gardens of special interest to me, ice sculpture museum) We could drop other couple off for rafting trip if they wanted to do that (we did it last time). Lodging Healy
Day 6 - Denali park shuttle. Lodging Healy
Day 7 - Drive to Girwood -- stop and hike along the way. Lodging Girwood. Tram in the evening if nice.
Day 8 - AM tram if not taken, drive to Homer visit Portage Glacier - should we take the boat tour? Lodging Homer
Day 9 - Homer - bear viewing
Day 10 - Homer - backup day for bear viewing, if not needed tour Pratt musuem and town. Lodging Homer
Day 11 - Drive back to Anchorage -- not sure how long this would take, one or two stops along the way.
Day 12 - visit tent market and buy some beaver slippers from Nick. Fly home late afternoon.

Thank you for your reply.

Fairbanks isn't a day trip from Denali Park in my opinion. I would readjust your time in Homer perhaps for at least an overnight there, otherwise, consider skipping it. Construction is just about a given. Last year I was in line over an hour then had to take a slow 25 miles which took another hour. You just can not always count on smooth going.

Most rental companies, do NOT allow Hatcher Pass after the mine on the unpaved portion. So you back track. I have gone with MICA guides, highly recommended. Go with the longest hike, well worth the time.

You can skip Portage Glacier Cruise, since you are going glacier trekking and get to Exit Glacier perhaps?

Thank you BudgetQueen for your reply. I just did see a time table list 2.5 hr drive time from DP to Fairbanks. On the map it doesn't seem that far. So we may skip that day and readjust the schedule.

What is the Prince William Sound Cruises like? I know it looks tricky to get to with the one way tunnel, but is it worth the time and effort. We did really enjoy the Kenaii Fjords NP cruise in 2005 -- is it similar in nature? I see Toursaver has a 2 for 1 for the shorter 4 hour cruise, it doesn't seem to go very far versus the longer 6 hour cruise. Any recommendations or is this activity designed to accomodate the cruiseline passengers disembarking here?

If you have time, is it recommended to see Portage glacier as it is reported to calve frequently? We were planning on seeing exit as well.any recommendations? Also...curious as to the PRince william sound cruise and recommendations. THanks. Marilee

Whittier glacier cruises are just excellent, but very different from Kenai Fjords trips. Do not expect wildlife, but superior scenery.

I do not recommend the Portage glacier cruise- but the visitor center is definately worth a stop, extremely well done and interesting. Portage glacier is so so at best. But certainly a cheap boat trip if that is all you have time for?

Miss Maple,
Which Kenai Fjords tour did you take before? WAsn't it out of Seward? We'll be there early August? Any company better than the other?

Farm123, we went on the native owned National Park with a stop at Fox Island for dinner (8.5). It was a most enjoyable day -- lot's of wildlife (couldn't get enough of the puffins -- they are a funny bird in flight). Weather is changeable, pack a knapsack to include your camera with plenty of film and zoom lens, a knit hat or earband, gloves -- it get's chilly near the glaciers. The stop at Fox Island was nice -- dinner was okay, not gourmet but being outside in the fresh air tires you out -- so it's nice to come back to the harbor not starving. Another tip, if you can have a backup day in case the weather and seas are rough. We were lucky and didn't need our backup day and used that to take a magical hike to Tonsina Point and then visit the Marine center. I hope you enjoy your cruise.

If you like to view some photos that we took on the cruise: http://www.camsoft.us/personal2/Alas...ages/s_015.htm


Cruise website: http://www.kenaifjords.com/

We stayed at Alaska Garden Gate B&B in Palmer since we were attending an event at the fairgrounds. Karen serves a wonderful hot breakfast and her home is immaculate. The house is nicely set up for guests with different room choices. We visited Independence Mine before the pass was open. The drive around and thru Wasilla was okay. We've stayed in the Wasilla area before. Unfortunately, the restaurants are nothing exciting. A visit to Iditarod headquarters might also be included if you are a fan of the race. There's a small transportation museum in Wasilla. Quite a bit of information about early bush pilots. You might check to see if they are having a special event during your visit. The drive from Homer to Anchorage is about 5 hours if no construction. Since you are interested in beaver slippers you might also stop in Malfunction Junction in Soldotna when you are passing through. The bottom floor of the gift shop is all furs. Can't remember what kind of selection they had of finished articles. The slippers must be very warm. A friend has a handmade beaver hat that he says he doesn't wear unless it's at least 20 below. Don't miss the Portage visitors center. Listen to the recordings of what is was like during the earthquake. We did not go on the boat tour.

dfrostnh - thanks for the reply. I am still working things out -- I will eliminate the Fairbanks day trip and am going to work in time to do the cruise in Prince William Sound. We didn't stop at Portage Glacier before so I think it will be a good stop this time -- especially before we go on a glacier cruise.

I think we will plant to make a stop in Soldotna to check out the beaver slippers there -- it has been the best gift I ever gave my daughter, she has started to wear out the inside. They are incredibly warm -- nice for folks with cold feet and the elderly I think.

Agree with BQ's comment re: Matanuska hike with MICA. I did it 2yrs ago. Guide was knowledgable and enthusiatic, even after being out on the ice all day. This was my first time using crampons so the experience of walking up and down the ice was great in addition to the glacier info. The colors of the ice up close are beautiful.